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David Bowie

(1947-2016), Singer, songwriter, performer and actor

Sitter in 20 portraits
Known as the chameleon of pop for his ever-changing appearance, futuristic costumes and outlandish makeup, Bowie was born David Jones in Brixton, London. He released his first album in 1967 and gained wide recognition two years later with his single Space Oddity, which coincided with the first moon landing. Albums such as Hunky Dory (1971), Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (1972), Aladdin Sane (1973) and Diamond Dogs (1974) made him an international star. His film roles included the lead in The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976), Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence (1983) and Andy Warhol in Basquiat (1996). Bowie's final album Blackstar was released on his 69th birthday, 8 January 2016.

More on David Bowie: The Icons trail: discover the people who shaped the 20th Century

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David Bowie, by Mick Rock - NPG P755

David Bowie

by Mick Rock
chromogenic print, March 1972
NPG P755

David Bowie, by Lord Snowdon - NPG P1855

David Bowie

by Lord Snowdon
gelatin silver print, 1978
NPG P1855

David Bowie, by Stephen Finer - NPG 6336

David Bowie

by Stephen Finer
oil on canvas, 1994
On display in Room 28 on Floor 2 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 6336

David Bowie, by Steven Klein - NPG P1277

David Bowie

by Steven Klein
chromogenic print, 2003
NPG P1277

David Bowie, by David Bebbington - NPG x133099

David Bowie

by David Bebbington
digital gelatin silver print, August 1969
NPG x133099

David Bowie, by David Bebbington - NPG x133100

David Bowie

by David Bebbington
digital gelatin silver print, August 1969
NPG x133100

David Bowie, by David Bebbington - NPG x133101

David Bowie

by David Bebbington
digital gelatin silver print, 16 August 1969
NPG x133101

David Bowie, by David Bebbington - NPG x135753

David Bowie

by David Bebbington
chromogenic print, 1969
NPG x135753

David Bowie; Angie Bowie, by Unknown photographer - NPG x198288

David Bowie; Angie Bowie

by Unknown photographer
bromide press print, 1970s
NPG x198288

David Bowie, by Brian Duffy - NPG x137463

David Bowie

by Brian Duffy
chromogenic print, 1973
NPG x137463

David Bowie, by Terry O'Neill - NPG x126130

David Bowie

by Terry O'Neill
bromide fibre print, 1974
NPG x126130

David Bowie; Dame Elizabeth Taylor, by Terry O'Neill - NPG x88495

David Bowie; Dame Elizabeth Taylor

by Terry O'Neill
bromide print, 1975
NPG x88495

David Bowie, by Terry O'Neill - NPG x34560

David Bowie

by Terry O'Neill
bromide print, 1975
NPG x34560

David Bowie, by Tony McGee - NPG x199689

David Bowie

by Tony McGee
digital chromogenic print, March 1990
NPG x199689

David Bowie, by Derry Moore, 12th Earl of Drogheda - NPG x126970

David Bowie

by Derry Moore, 12th Earl of Drogheda
chromogenic print, 1992
NPG x126970

David Bowie, by Fergus Greer - NPG x126882

David Bowie

by Fergus Greer
bromide fibre print, 2001
NPG x126882

David Bowie ('Aladdin Sane'), by Brian Duffy, and by  Celia Philo, published by  RCA Limited - NPG D49513

David Bowie ('Aladdin Sane')

by Brian Duffy, and by Celia Philo, published by RCA Limited
colour offset lithographic record sleeve, 1973
NPG D49513

Sheet music cover for 'Space Oddity' by David Bowie, published by Essex Music Ltd, after  Unknown photographer - NPG D48362

Sheet music cover for 'Space Oddity' by David Bowie

published by Essex Music Ltd, after Unknown photographer
halftone reproduction, published 1975
NPG D48362

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